Storage container system

ABSTRACT

A storage system includes a container and a cover. The container includes a floor, a plurality of sidewalls attached to the floor, a lip attached to the plurality of sidewalls, and a bracket attached to the lip and positioned near the sidewall. The lip includes a first integrated handle and a second integrated handle. The bracket includes a plurality of blades. The blades further include a surface proximate at least one of the plurality of sidewalls. The cover includes a portion engagable with the lip. The cover also includes an open portion proximate the bracket and blades that covers the lip near the bracket without engaging the bracket or blades.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/559,544 filed Apr. 5, 2004 under 35 USC119(e).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a hanging storage system.

BACKGROUND

Adequate storage space is a common problem for many households. Oftenhome owners and apartment dwellers utilize shelves and storage spaces tostore infrequently used items. When a storage room is used many timesthe boxes and containers are stacked upon one another or in front ofother boxes and containers. When shelves are used the containers areoften again stacked upon one another or in front of other containers tomaximize use of the space. When containers are stacked upon or in frontof other containers, it becomes difficult to access the containers underor behind the front containers. There is also a limit to how manycontainers may be stacked due to the weight of the containers and thevarying size of each container.

What is needed is a storage system allowing storage of multiplecontainers that maximizes the area available while still permitting easyaccess to each stored container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is pointed out with particularity in the appended claims.However, a more complete understanding of the present invention may bederived by referring to the detailed description when considered inconnection with the figures, wherein like reference numbers refer tosimilar items throughout the figures, and:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the rail, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the rail, according to an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side view of one embodiment of the bracket attached to acontainer, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a close-up side perspective view of the bracket in FIG. 3,according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a side view of one embodiment of the hanging storage system,according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional side view of the hanging storage systemshown in FIG. 5, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the rail mounted on the vertical surface shownin FIG. 5 with the bracket removed from the U-shaped channel, accordingto an example embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a second embodiment of the hanging storagesystem, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a third hanging storage system,according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a container, according to an exampleembodiment..

FIG. 11 is a perspective bottom view of a first container and a secondcontainer stacked in a nested relationship, according to an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional side view of a container engaged in achannel and hanging on a wall, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 13 illustrates a front view of a recess area for receiving astandoff, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 14 illustrates a side view of a recess area for receiving astandoff, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 15 illustrates a perspective view of a standoff, according to anexample embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a cover, according to an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another hanging storage system 1700showing multiple, differently sized containers in use with multiplechannels, according to an example embodiment.

The description set out herein illustrates the various embodiments ofthe invention, and such description is not intended to be construed aslimiting in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description of several example embodiments,reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof,and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments inwhich the invention can be practiced. The embodiments illustrated aredescribed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art topractice the teachings disclosed herein. Other embodiments can beutilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logicalsubstitutions and changes can be made without departing from the scopeof present inventions. The following detailed description, therefore, isnot to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of variousembodiments of the invention is defined only by the appended claims,along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims areentitled.

Definitions

As utilized herein, the term “snugly,” means having contact with bothlegs of the U-shaped channel.

Nomenclature

10 Hanging storage system

20 Container

21 Side of Container

22 Inner Chamber

23 Base

24 Lid

30 Bracket

31 Flange of Bracket

31 a Distal End of Flange of Bracket

32 Fastener

33 Height of Bracket

34 Width of Bracket

40 Rail

41 Flange of Rail

42 U-Shaped Channel

43 Fastener

100 Vertical Surface

x Longitudinal Direction

y Lateral Direction

z Transverse Direction

Construction

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the hanging storage system 10 comprises acontainer 20, a bracket 30, and a rail 40. The container 20 is arrangedand configured so as to define an inner chamber 22 for storing items andcomprises at least a base 23. The container 20 may also include a lid 24that is attached by a hinge (not shown) or removably attached. Thecontainer 20 may be any shape with a side 21 arranged and configured tohave a transversely z extending bracket 30 attached to the side 21, suchas a cube, rectangular parallelepiped, cylinder, conical ring, sphere,spherical sector (one base), spherical sector (two bases) and frustum ofright cone. The preferred shape is a rectangular parallelepiped.

The container 20 should be constructed of an appropriate and suitablematerial that allows the container 20 to hold the desired contentswithout any direct support along the bottom (not numbered) of thecontainer 20. The preferred materials are plastic, wood, metal andrubber. The most preferable material is plastic. The container 20 may bemade from an opaque material or a see through material. A clear materialallows the user (not shown) to easily and quickly see the container 20contents, while the opaque material may conveniently hide the container20 contents from view.

The bracket 30 may be of any suitable size to allow proper support ofthe container 20 and its contents. The preferred size of the bracket 30has an overall longitudinal x height 33 of between about 0.5 and 12inches, an overall lateral y width 34 of between about 0.25 and 4.5inches. The bracket 30 includes a longitudinally x extending flange 31.The flange 31 is configured and arranged to be laterally y offset fromthe side 21 of the container 20 when attached. Preferably the distal end31 a of the flange 31 is angled or curved to allow easier insertion intothe V-shaped channel 42. The preferred angle is about 45°. Thelongitudinal x length (not numbered) of the flange 31 is between about50% and 90% of the longitudinal x height 33 of the bracket 30. Thepreferred length of the flange 31 is about 70% of the longitudinal xheight 33 of the bracket 30.

The bracket 30 may be made from any suitable and appropriate material.The preferred materials are wood, metal, plastic and rubber. The mostpreferred material is wood when the bracket 30 is attached to thecontainer 20 with a fastener 32 or adhesive. The most preferred materialis plastic when the bracket 30 is integrally mold with the container 20.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the transversely z extending bracket 30 isattached to the side 21 of the container 20. As shown in FIG. 6, thebracket 30 may be attached by a fastener 32 such as a screw, staple, andnail. The bracket 30 may also be attached with adhesive or integrallymolded into the side 21 of the container 20. The preferred method ofattachment is to integrally mold the bracket 30 into the side 21 of thecontainer 20.

As shown in FIG. 7, the rail 40 is configured and arranged for mountingupon a vertical surface 100. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rail 40includes a flange 41. The flange 41 is configured and arranged so as todefine a U-shaped channel 42 between the flange 41 and the verticalsurface 100 when the rail 40 is mounted upon the vertical surface 100.The U-shaped channel 42 is arranged and configured to allow insertion ofthe bracket 30 flange 31. Upon insertion the flange 31 on the bracket 30should fit snugly within the U-shaped channel 42.

The longitudinal x height of the rail 40 depends on the longitudinal xlength of the bracket 30 flange 31 to be used with the rail 40. As shownin FIG. 6, the rail 40 flange 41 preferably has a longitudinal x lengthabout the same as the longitudinal x length of the bracket 30 flange 31.This helps to secure a snug fit for the flange 31 on the bracket 30within the U-shaped channel 42. The minimum transverse z length (notnumbered) of the rail 40 may be about the same as the transverse zlength of the bracket 30 attached to the container 20 to be insertedinto the rail's 40 U-shaped channel 42. The transverse z length of therail 40 may be as long as the user desires. A longer rail 40 mayaccommodate more than one container 20.

The rail 40 may be made from any suitable appropriate material such aswood, plastic, metal, and rubber. The preferred material is wood. A woodrail 40 may be painted or stained to complement the decor in the room(not shown) in which it is mounted.

Use

The hanging storage system 10 can be used to store items (not numbered)of varying size and weight in containers 20 mounted to a verticalsurface 100.

As shown in FIG. 7, use of the hanging storage system 10 may beinitiated by mounting the rail 40 upon a vertical surface 100. Thevertical surface 100 may be any suitable vertical surface 100 configuredand arranged to sustain the mounting of the rail 40 and support thehanging storage system 10 without damaging the vertical surface 100 orthe hanging storage system 10. The preferred vertical surfaces 100 arethe vertical walls in a building, house trailer, shed, garage, freighttrailer, or camper. The most preferred vertical surfaces 100 are thevertical walls in a building, shed, or garage. The hanging storagesystem 10 may also utilize a mobile vertical surface 100.

The rail 40 may be mounted on the vertical surface 100 by any suitableadhesive or mechanical fasteners 43 such as screws, nails, and bolts.The appropriate method of mounting depends on the material the verticalsurface 100 and rail 40 are composed and the amount of weight the rail40 may need to support. The preferred method of mounting is bymechanical fastener 43. As shown in FIG. 7, the rail 40 should bemounted so as to define a U-shaped channel 42 between the flange 41 ofthe rail 40 and the vertical surface 100.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, once the rail 40 is mounted to the verticalsurface 100, the longitudinally x extending flange 31 of thetransversely z extending bracket 30 may be inserted into the U-shapedchannel 42. The flange 31 of the bracket 30 should be inserted as far aspossible into the U-shaped channel 42 to allow the hanging storagesystem 10 to support the most weight in the container 20 and provide therequired snug fit of the bracket 30 flange 31 in the U-shaped channel42. The container 20 may be filled with the items (not numbered) to bestored prior to hanging or after the container 20 is hung on the rail40.

The container 20 may be removed from the rail 40 at any time by liftingthe container 20 in the longitudinal x direction away from the rail 40until the flange 31 of the bracket 30 is no longer within the U-shapedchannel 42.

The hanging storage system 10 may also be used to mount other storagedevices such as bike racks, shelves, garden tool poles, hooks, brackets,and clamps.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a third hanging storage system 100,according to an example embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of acontainer 200, according to an example embodiment. Now referring to bothFIGS. 9 and 10, the storage system 100 includes a container 101, achannel 200 and a cover 300. A channel 200 is affixed to a wall or othersurface. The channel 200 has a length sufficient to engage a portion ofat least one container 101. The container 101 of the storage system 100includes a floor 120, a plurality of sidewalls 112, 114, 116, 118attached to the floor 120, a lip 140 attached to the plurality ofsidewalls 112, 114, 116, 118, and a bracket 210 attached to the lip 140and positioned near the sidewall 118. In one example embodiment, the lip140 includes a first integrated handle and a second integrated handle(not shown in FIGS. 9 and 10). The bracket 210 includes a plurality ofblades 220, 222, 224, 226, 226, 228, 230. The blades 220, 222, 224, 226,226, 228, 230 further include a surface, such as surface 240, proximateat least one of the plurality of sidewalls 118. As shown in FIG. 10, theblade has a wedge-shaped cross section, as can be seen by looking at anend 221 of the blade 220. The surface of the blade 240 forms an angletheta with respect to the exterior surface of the sidewall 118. Thesurface of the blade 240 near the exterior surface of the sidewall 118angles away from the sidewall. The angle theta also allows sufficientdraft for the container to be made using plastic molding techniques.Between each individual blade and an adjacent blade is a space. Thebracket 210 and more specifically at least some of the plurality of theblades 220, 222, 224, 226, 226, 228, 230 engage a portion of the channel200 to allow the container 101 to be hung with respect to the wall.

The cover 300 includes a portion engagable with the lip 140. The cover300 also includes an open portion proximate the bracket 210 and blades220, 222, 224, 226, 226, 228, 230 that covers the lip near the bracket210 without engaging the bracket 210 or blades 220, 222, 224, 226, 226,228, 230. The sidewall 118 has an exterior surface 119. The storagesystem also includes a standoff element 400 removably attached to theexterior surface 119 of the sidewall 118 between the floor 110 and thebracket 210. The exterior surface 119 of the sidewall 118 includes afirst recess 150 and a second recess 152. Both of the first recess 150and the second recess 152 adapted to receive the standoff element 400.As shown in this particular embodiment, the first recess 150 and thesecond recess 152 receive the same type of the standoff element 400. Therecesses 150, 152 are positioned in the sidewall 118 between the floor110 and the bracket 210. In some embodiments, the sidewall exteriorsurface 118 can includes a single recess or more than the two recessesthat receive at least one standoff element 400. The number of recessesformed are sufficient to distribute a portion of the load carried by thecontainer 100 across a wall. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the standoffelement 400 is substantially round in shape or substantially shaped likea frusto-conical element. In other example embodiments, the standoffelements can be shaped differently.

FIG. 11 is a perspective bottom view of a first container 101 and asecond container 101A stacked in a nested relationship, according to anexample embodiment. The standoff elements 400 are insertable andremovable from the recesses 152, 154 in the sidewall 118. In this way, aplurality of containers 100 can be stacked in a nested relationship whenthe standoff elements 400 are removed from the recesses 152, 154. Asshown in FIG. 11, the depth of the blades, such as blade 220,determines, in part, the distance between the first container 101 andthe second container 101A when stacked in the nested relationship. Itshould be noted, that the ability to stack the first container 100 andthe second container 101A is key to the ability to store a multiplicityof containers, including containers 101, 101A, at a wholesale or retailsite. At such a site, it is advantageous to have the ability to store anumber of containers using a limited amount of shelf space. Stacking ofthe containers allows a multiplicity of containers to be stored with alimited amount of shelf space.

FIG. 11 also shows that the lip 140 is reinforced using reinforcing ribssuch as 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, and 146. The numbered reinforcing ribs141, 142, 143, 144, 145, and 146 are example reinforcing ribs. Alsoshown in FIG. 11 is an integrated handle 160 on the first container 100.The integrated handle can be integrated into the lip 140 as a widenedsection of the lip 140 to provide a hand hold for users of the storagesystem. In some embodiments, the integrated handle 160 is also devoid ofreinforcing ribs, so as not to interfere with the digits of the userwhen using a hand hold, such as the hand hold 160. A hand hold similarto the handhold 160 is positioned near the bracket 210 on the other sideor end of the container 101.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional side view of a container 101 engaged in achannel 200 and hanging on a wall 1200, according to an exampleembodiment. The channel 200 is attached to the wall 1200 using a seriesof fasteners such as fastener 1202. The channel 200 includes ablade-engaging portion 202 that engages the blades, such as blade 220 ofthe bracket 210 of the container 101. The blade 220 fits within theblade-engagement slot 202 of the channel 200 with little, if any,clearance. The blade 220 is wedge shaped so that it is self guidingwithin the slot 202 of the channel 200. The container 101 includes arecess into which a removable standoff element 400 fits. The standoffelement 400 spaces the container 101 away from the wall 1200 or flatsurface to which the channel 200 is attached with the fastener 202. Thestandoff 400 prevents the container 101 from sagging. More specifically,the standoff 400 prevents excessive bending and possible wear in thearea designated by the reference numeral 211. Without the standoff 400,the area 211 would be subjected to bending and may be prone to failureof the material in that area. Furthermore, the standoff 400 keeps thecontainer 101 in an upright position so that the wedge-shaped blade 220remains engaged with the correspondingly shaped slot or opening 202 inthe bracket 200. Also shown in FIG. 12 is the cover 300 for thecontainer 101. As shown in FIG. 12, the cover 300 includes a portionwhich rests on the lip 140 about the periphery of the container 101. Asshown in FIG. 12, there are two portions, 310 and 312, which rest on thelip 140 about the periphery of the container 101. The portion 310 of thecover 300 is sized and shaped so as not to interfere with the engagementof the blades, such as blade 220 into the slot or correspondingly-shapedengagement portion 202 of the channel. The cover 310 also does notinterfere with the spacing between the wall 1200 and the bracket 210.

It should be noted that the channel 200 and specifically the slot orelement for engaging the blades, such as blade 220 of the container 101,can be provided with reinforcing elements that strengthen the slot 202of the channel 200 and also limit the lateral position of a container101 with respect to placement on the channel 200.

FIG. 13 illustrates a portion of the exterior surface 119 of sidewall118 attached to the floor 110 of the container 101 and specificallyillustrates a recess area 1400 for receiving a standoff 400, accordingto an example embodiment. FIG. 14 illustrates a side view of a recessarea 1400 for receiving a standoff 400, according to an exampleembodiment. Now with reference to both FIGS. 13 and 14, the recess area1400 will be further detailed. The recess area 1400 includes a backplane 1410 that extends into the container or, stated alternatively, isrecessed within the exterior surface 119 of the sidewall 118 of thecontainer 101. Also within the exterior surface or recessed within theexterior surface 119 of the container 101 is a wing element 1420 whichcaptures a portion of the standoff 400. The standoff includes a shoulderhaving a thickness approximately equal to the distance between the wingor capture wing 1420 and the back sidewall 1410. The back wall 1410 ofthe recess 1400 is essentially annularly shaped as is the capture wing1420. Thus, the annular shoulder of the standoff 400 can be capturedwithin the recess 400 and specifically captured between the back wall1410 and the capture wing 1420 of the recess 1400.

FIG. 15 further details the standoff 400. The standoff 400 includes amain body portion 420 having a first end 430 and a second end 440. Thesecond end 440 includes a shoulder 442 which is substantially annularlyshaped and dimensioned so as to fit within the recess 1400 shown inFIGS. 13 and 14. More specifically, the shoulder 442 of the standoff 400fits within the recess 1400 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. The standoff has athickness so that it can be captured between the back wall 1410 and thecapture wing 1420 of the recess 1400. The main body portion 420 near theshoulder 442 is dimensioned to fit within the annulus formed by thecapture wing 1420 of the recess. As a result, the shoulder 442 iscompressed between the capture wing 1420 and the back wall 1410 of therecess 1400. The standoff 400 can be shaped either as a solid piece oras a hollow cup. The example embodiment shown in FIG. 15 shows thestandoff 400 as a hollow cup. The dimensions also allow the cups to bestacked which is advantageous in that shelf space in a retail settingwill be conserved if the standoffs are stackable. It should be notedthat the recesses or the recess 1400 is positioned between the floor 110and the bracket 210 (as shown in FIG. 9). The cover 300 for the storagecontainer 101 includes a main body portion 310. The cover isrectangularly shaped and adapted to fit the container 101 and morespecifically the lip 140 of the container. The main body portion 310includes a first side 312, a second side 314, a third side 316 and afourth side 318. Each of the sides 312, 314, 316, 318 can also bereferred to as a lip receiving portion. The sides are generally shapedso as to engage the lip 140 attached to the side walls 112, 114, 116,118 of the container 101. At least two of the side walls 312, 316include a lip engagement element 322 and 326. Lip engagement element 326is more clearly shown in FIG. 15 and therefore will be described for thesake of simplicity. Lip engagement element 322 is substantially the sameas lip engagement element 326. The lip engagement element 326 includes aportion which extends over the entire lip 140 of the container. In otherwords, the lip engagement portion 326 extends over the lip, notnecessarily the entire length of the lip. The lip engagement element 326also includes a catch 336 which catches an edge of the lip and maintainsthe cover 300 in place. The lip engagement element 326 has a length thatallows it to extend between any reinforcing ribs (such as reinforcingribs 141, 142 shown in FIG. 11). Thus, the catch 336 provides forengagement of the lip engagement 326 about the lip 140 in the area ofthe lip engagement element 336. The lid can then be held in place sincethe lip engagement element fits between the reinforcing ribs or isstopped by the reinforcing ribs in a lateral direction. In short, thelip engagement element 326, and specifically the catch 336, is stoppedin one direction by reinforcing ribs attached to the lip 140 of thecontainer 101. The catch 336 catches the bottom of the lip and can alsoact as a snap fit with respect to the lip 140. The cover 300 alsoincludes an indentation 340. The indentation 340 also prevents movementof the cover across the top of the container. In other words, the wall342, 344, 346, 348 formed by the indentation are closely spaced to theinterior side walls 112, 114, 116, 118 of the container 101. The walls342, 344, 346, 348 therefore also prevent movement of the lid withrespect to the top of the container 101. The indentation 340 is alsodimensioned so as to receive the bottom of a container 101. Thus, acontainer when either partially or fully filled can be rested on anothercontainer within the indentation 340. The cover has sufficient strengthso as not to buckle under the load of another container.

In some embodiments, the cover is designed to withstand loads ofapproximately 1 pound to 130 pounds. The edges or sides or lip receivingareas 312, 314, 316, 318 rest on the lip 140 and, therefore, transferthe load through the cover and to the corresponding side walls of acontainer to which the cover is attached. It should be noted that thefourth side 318 is devoid of a lip engagement element. The lip receivingportion 318 of the fourth side is adapted to cover the portion of thelip near the bracket 210 (shown in FIG. 10) on the fourth side of thelip receiving portion 318 is dimensioned so as not to interfere with theengagement of the bracket 210 and the corresponding blade of the bracketwith the channel 200. The cover is also dimensioned so that the fourthside or fourth lip receiving portion does not interfere with the spacingbetween the channel 200 and the bracket 210. In an example embodiment,the fourth side of the cover 318 is devoid of any lip engagement elementand has a width that is less than the lip receiving portions thatinclude a lip engagement element. It should be noted that the cover 300is also dimensioned and includes an indentation so that a similar covercan be engaged in a nesting relationship with other covers. This isadvantageous in a retail setting where it is many times necessary toconserve shelf space.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another hanging storage system 1700showing multiple, differently sized, containers 1701, 1711, 1721, 1731hung from multiple channels 1740 and 1742. It should be noted that thechannels 1740, 1742 can be of sufficient length to hold more than onecontainer or storage container. For example, channel 1740 holds storagecontainers 1701 and 1711. Also shown is channel 1742 holding containers1721 and 1731. The standoff elements are not shown but would besubstantially the same as those previously described. It should be notedthat the channels 1740, 1742 can be placed on the same wall and that thecontainers can be of varying sizes. However, the blades associated withthe containers must be uniformly sized so that they can fit within theblade receiving slots of the channels 1740, 1742.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a kit 1800, according to an exampleembodiment. The kit 1800 includes a standoff element 400, and a channel200, a storage container 101, and a cover 300. The storage container 101includes a channel engaging portion 210, and a standoff elementreceiving portion 1400 (shown in FIGS. 13 and 14). The cover 300 coversthe container 101 without interfering with the channel engaging portion210 (shown in FIG. 12) or the spacing element receiving portion 1400(shown in FIGS. 13 and 14). In some embodiments, the channel 200 iscapable of engaging more than one container. In other embodiments, thekit 1800 includes an instruction set 1810 including instructionsregarding mounting the channel 200 to a surface 1200, or the placingbetween the channel 200 and other objects, or the placing the standoffelement 400 into the standoff element receiving portion 1400 (shown inFIGS. 13 and 14). In some embodiments, the instructions of theinstruction set 1810 relate mounting the channel to a surface, thespacing between the channel and other objects, and placing the standoffelement 400 into the standoff element receiving portion 1400 (shown inFIGS. 13 and 14). The kit 1800 can include two or more of the above. Inaddition, a kit 1800 can include additional elements such as multiplestorage containers 101 and multiple channels 200. In practice, thecomponents for a kit 1800 are set in a retail outlet or the like. Ahanging system is assembled into kit when a consumer or provider of suchstorage systems gathers the parts for the storage system.

FIG. 19 shows another example embodiment of the system. In this exampleembodiment, a standoff 1900 is provided to attach to the wall orvertical surface. The standoff 1900 can be one continuous piece that hassubstantially the same length as the channel 200 which also attaches tothe wall. In some embodiments, the standoff 1900 can also be comprisedof several other shorter lengths that are attached to a verticalsurface, such as a wall 1200 (shown in FIG. 12). The standoff 1900, whenmounted to the vertical surface, prevents the container from sagging orbecoming disengaged from the channel 200 (shown in FIG. 12).

FIG. 20 shows another embodiment of a container 2000 and a cover 2010.The container 2000 includes a lip having a reinforced corner 2002. Thecover 2010 also includes a reinforced handle cover portion 2012.

As mentioned above, many of the components, namely the containers 101,the covers 300 and the standoffs 400 are stackable in a nestingrelationship. This helps to conserve shelf space when storing thestorage container systems 100 or when the storage container system 100is occupying shelf space in a retail outlet or the like. In addition,the containers 101 with covers 300 in place are also stackable whenloaded or partially loaded. In other words a first container with coverthereon can be placed onto a second container with the cover thereon.The covers 300 include indentations 340 in which the bottom of asimilarly designed container will fit. This allows a consumer to removeseveral containers from the channels 200, stack them one on top ofanother, either to transport to another locale or when reorganizing thestorage containers 101 of the storage system 100.

A method for storing includes attaching a channel to a wall, removing afirst container from a stack of containers that includes the firstcontainer and a second container, engaging a portion of the firstcontainer with the channel, and placing a cover on the first container.The cover fits over the first container without interfering with theportion of the first container engaging the channel. In someembodiments, the method for storing includes attaching a standoff to thefirst container. In still other embodiments, the method includesengaging a portion of the second container with the channel. The methodmay also include attaching a standoff to the second container andplacing a cover on the second container.

The foregoing description of the specific example embodiments reveal thegeneral nature of the invention sufficiently that others can, byapplying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt it for variousapplications without departing from the generic concept, and thereforesuch adaptations and modifications are intended to be comprehendedwithin the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosedembodiments.

It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employedherein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.Accordingly, the invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives,modifications, equivalents and variations as fall within the spirit andbroad scope of the appended claims.

1. A storage system comprising: a container including: a floor; aplurality of sidewalls attached to the floor; a lip attached to theplurality of sidewalls, the lip including a first integrated handle anda second integrated handle; and a bracket attached to the lip andpositioned near the sidewall, the bracket including a plurality ofblades, the blades including a surface proximate at least one of theplurality of sidewalls; and a cover including a portion engagable withthe lip, the cover including an open portion proximate the bracket andblades that covers the lip near the bracket without engaging the bracketor blades.
 2. The storage system of claim 1 wherein the sidewall has anexterior surface, the storage system further comprising a standoffelement removably attached to the exterior surface of the sidewallbetween the floor and the bracket.
 3. The storage system of claim 1wherein the sidewall has an exterior surface, the exterior surfacehaving a recess therein for receiving a standoff element, the recesspositioned in the sidewall between the floor and the bracket.
 4. Thestorage system of claim 1 wherein the sidewall has an exterior surface,the exterior surface having a plurality of recesses therein forreceiving at least one standoff element, the recesses positioned in thesidewall between the floor and the bracket.
 5. The storage system ofclaim 1 wherein the cover includes an indentation therein, theindentation sized to receive the floor and a bottom portion of a secondcontainer.
 6. The storage system of claim 5 wherein the cover is sizedto allow stacking of a second container onto the cover while remainingengaged with the lip of the container.
 7. The storage system of claim 1further comprising a channel for engaging the bracket of the container.8. The storage system of claim 1 further comprising a channel forengaging one or more of the plurality of blades of the bracket of thecontainer.
 9. The storage system of claim 1 further comprising a channelhaving a length sufficient to engage one or more of the plurality ofblades from the brackets of a plurality of containers.
 10. The storagesystem of claim 1 further comprising a channel having a lengthsufficient to engage one or more of the plurality of blades from thebrackets of a plurality of containers, the channel having a lengthgreater than a length of a sidewall of a container.
 11. The storagesystem of claim 1 further comprising: a first channel for engaging oneor more of the plurality of blades from one or more containers; and asecond channel for engaging one or more of the plurality of blades fromone or more containers.
 12. A cover for a storage container comprising:a main body portion rectangularly shaped and adapted to fit a container,the main body portion of the cover including a first side, a secondside, a third side and a fourth side; and a lip receiving portionattached to the first side, the second side, the third side and thefourth side of the main body portion of the cover, the lip receivingportion further comprising a lip engagement element adapted to extendover a lip and engage a lip of a container, the lip engagement elementattached to the first side, and the third side of the cover, the fourthside of the cover devoid of a lip engagement element, the lip receivingportion of the fourth side of the cover adapted to cover at least aportion of the lip.
 13. The cover for a storage container of claim 12wherein the main body portion has an indentation therein sized toreceive a container bottom.
 14. The cover for a storage container ofclaim 12 wherein the lip receiving portion attached to the fourth sideand devoid of a lip engagement element has a width that is less than thewidth of the lip receiving portions that includes the lip engagementelement.
 15. The cover for a storage container of claim 12 wherein thelip engagement element includes a snap fit element adapted to engage thelip of a container.
 16. The cover for a storage container of claim 12wherein the cover nests with another cover having the same design.
 17. Acontainer including: a floor; a plurality of sidewalls attached to thefloor; a lip attached to the plurality of sidewalls; and a bracketattached to the lip and positioned near at least one of the plurality ofsidewalls, the bracket including a plurality of blades, the bladesincluding a surface proximate at least one of the plurality ofsidewalls.
 18. The container of claim 17 wherein the blades are angledaway from the at least one sidewall.
 19. The container of claim 18wherein the container nests with another container having the sameconfiguration.
 20. The container of claim 17 wherein the container hasan exterior surface, the exterior surface of at least one of thesidewalls including a pocket therein positioned between the floor andthe bracket.
 21. The container of claim 20 wherein the pocket is adaptedto hold a standoff element.
 22. The container of claim 20 wherein thecontainer nests with another container having the same design.
 23. Thecontainer of claim 20 wherein the pocket includes at least one grooveengaging element.
 24. The container of claim 17 wherein the containerhas an exterior surface, the exterior surface of at least one of thesidewalls including a plurality of pockets therein positioned betweenthe floor and the bracket.
 25. The container of claim 24 wherein each ofthe plurality of pockets is adapted to hold a standoff element.
 26. Thecontainer of claim 24 wherein the container nests with another containerhaving the same design.
 27. The container of claim 25 wherein each ofthe plurality of pockets includes at least one groove engaging element.28. A kit comprising: a spacing element; and a channel; a storagecontainer that includes: a channel engaging portion; and a standoffelement receiving portion; and a cover that covers the container withoutinterfering with the channel engaging portion or the spacing elementreceiving portion.
 29. The kit of claim 28 wherein the channel iscapable of engaging more than one container.
 30. The kit of claim 28further comprising an instruction set including instructions regardingmounting the channel to a surface.
 31. The kit of claim 28 furthercomprising an instruction set including instructions regarding spacingbetween the channel and other objects.
 32. The kit of claim 28 furthercomprising an instruction set including instructions regarding placingthe standoff element into the standoff element receiving portion. 33.The kit of claim 28 further comprising an instruction set includinginstructions regarding mounting the channel to a surface, the spacingbetween the channel and other objects, and placing the standoff elementinto the standoff element receiving portion.
 34. A method for storingcomprising: attaching a channel to a wall; removing a first containerfrom a stack of containers that includes the first container and asecond container; engaging a portion of the first container with thechannel; and placing a cover on the first container, the cover fittingover the first container without interfering with the portion of thefirst container engaging the channel.
 35. The method for storing ofclaim 34 further comprising attaching a standoff to the first container.36. The method for storing of claim 34 further comprising engaging aportion of the second container with the channel.
 37. The method forstoring of claim 36 further comprising attaching a standoff to thesecond container.
 38. The method for storing of claim 37 furthercomprising placing a cover on the second container.
 39. The method forstoring of claim 37 further comprising: disengaging the first containerand cover; disengaging the second container and cover; stacking thesecond container and cover onto the first container and cover.